[Transfer of delayed type hypersensitivity in guinea pigs].

Abstract

In the first description of transfer factor in 1955, Lawrence defined it as "the active principle in viable leukocytes, leukocyte extracts and leukocyte dialysates obtained from immune human donors which has the capacity to transfer cutaneous delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) in vivo to nonimmune recipients". The dialysates are reported to contain a number of antigen-independent activities affecting monocytes, macrophages and lymphocytes. In some cases these "nonspecific" activities separate out with the fraction causing skin test conversion, but it has not been shown that the same molecule is responsible for both effects. Chemical structure of transfer factor (TF) has not been defined, yet. Its m.w. is 2000-3500. TF has been used to treat a wide range of clinical disorders, including immunodeficiency diseases, neoplasms, chronic fungal, viral and bacterial infections with varying degrees of reported success. The reports on the efficacy of TF in the prevention of varicella in childhood leukemia evoked renewed interest in possible clinical applications of this leukocyte derived material. There is no convenient animal in vivo model of TF activity investigations, and there is no sensitive and reproducible in vitro assay in regard to its activity and specificity. In presented paper the passive transfer of DTH to tuberculin in guinea pigs was reported, both by intact lymphocytes as well as by its crude homogenate. Sephadex column fractionation of crude leukocyte extract have been done. Attempts to define the in vitro activity of leukocyte extract as well as its fractions by leukocyte migration inhibition test have been made.